This paper considers the damage to household toilets in the aftermath of the 2015 Nepal earthquake through the lens of good performance in progress towards national sanitation targets. In doing so it highlights the very different drivers of development and emergency relief, an issue that is rarely documented. It draws upon expert opinion and first-hand observation to put a spotlight on conflicting approaches in the transition phase and seeks to understand how these were navigated at the national policy level and in practice at the district level. In doing so the paper contributes to discussions about what better preparedness measures could be undertaken and how sanitation gains can be maintained in the face of natural hazards/climate change and supported better after disaster strikes.

Government of Nepal and United Nations Country Team of Nepal (2010) MDG Acceleration Framework: Improving Access to Sanitation [pdf], National Planning Commission, Government of Nepal and United Nations in Nepal <www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/MDG/MDG%20Acceleration%20Framework/MAF%20Reports/RBAP/Nepal%20-%20WEB.pdf> [accessed 1 March 2016].

Greaves, F. (2012) Learning and Recommendations on the Use of CLTS in Emergency and Post Conflict/Post-Emergency Situations [pdf], draft report to the Hygiene Promotion Forum and the CLTS Action and Learning Group, Tearfund <www.pseau.org/outils/ouvrages/tearfund_learning_and_recommendations_on_the_use_of_clts_in_emergency_contexts_2012.pdf> [accessed 1 March 2016].

Luff, R. (2013) ‘Subsidies for WASH in development, mitigation, relief, and recovery: a critical but neglected aspect of practice’, Waterlines 32(4): <http://dx.doi.org/10.3362/1756-3488.2013.030>.

National WASH cluster (2015) National WASH Response Plan (NWRP) for relief and immediate recovery, for the period April to September (5 months).

Government of Nepal and United Nations Country Team of Nepal (2010) MDG Acceleration Framework: Improving Access to Sanitation [pdf], National Planning Commission, Government of Nepal and United Nations in Nepal <www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/MDG/MDG%20Acceleration%20Framework/MAF%20Reports/RBAP/Nepal%20-%20WEB.pdf> [accessed 1 March 2016].

Greaves, F. (2012) Learning and Recommendations on the Use of CLTS in Emergency and Post Conflict/Post-Emergency Situations [pdf], draft report to the Hygiene Promotion Forum and the CLTS Action and Learning Group, Tearfund <www.pseau.org/outils/ouvrages/tearfund_learning_and_recommendations_on_the_use_of_clts_in_emergency_contexts_2012.pdf> [accessed 1 March 2016].

Luff, R. (2013) ‘Subsidies for WASH in development, mitigation, relief, and recovery: a critical but neglected aspect of practice’, Waterlines 32(4): <http://dx.doi.org/10.3362/1756-3488.2013.030>.

National WASH cluster (2015) National WASH Response Plan (NWRP) for relief and immediate recovery, for the period April to September (5 months).

Government of Nepal and United Nations Country Team of Nepal (2010) MDG Acceleration Framework: Improving Access to Sanitation [pdf], National Planning Commission, Government of Nepal and United Nations in Nepal <www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/MDG/MDG%20Acceleration%20Framework/MAF%20Reports/RBAP/Nepal%20-%20WEB.pdf> [accessed 1 March 2016].

Greaves, F. (2012) Learning and Recommendations on the Use of CLTS in Emergency and Post Conflict/Post-Emergency Situations [pdf], draft report to the Hygiene Promotion Forum and the CLTS Action and Learning Group, Tearfund <www.pseau.org/outils/ouvrages/tearfund_learning_and_recommendations_on_the_use_of_clts_in_emergency_contexts_2012.pdf> [accessed 1 March 2016].

Luff, R. (2013) ‘Subsidies for WASH in development, mitigation, relief, and recovery: a critical but neglected aspect of practice’, Waterlines 32(4): <http://dx.doi.org/10.3362/1756-3488.2013.030>.

National WASH cluster (2015) National WASH Response Plan (NWRP) for relief and immediate recovery, for the period April to September (5 months).

Government of Nepal and United Nations Country Team of Nepal (2010) MDG Acceleration Framework: Improving Access to Sanitation [pdf], National Planning Commission, Government of Nepal and United Nations in Nepal <www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/MDG/MDG%20Acceleration%20Framework/MAF%20Reports/RBAP/Nepal%20-%20WEB.pdf> [accessed 1 March 2016].

Greaves, F. (2012) Learning and Recommendations on the Use of CLTS in Emergency and Post Conflict/Post-Emergency Situations [pdf], draft report to the Hygiene Promotion Forum and the CLTS Action and Learning Group, Tearfund <www.pseau.org/outils/ouvrages/tearfund_learning_and_recommendations_on_the_use_of_clts_in_emergency_contexts_2012.pdf> [accessed 1 March 2016].

Luff, R. (2013) ‘Subsidies for WASH in development, mitigation, relief, and recovery: a critical but neglected aspect of practice’, Waterlines 32(4): <http://dx.doi.org/10.3362/1756-3488.2013.030>.

National WASH cluster (2015) National WASH Response Plan (NWRP) for relief and immediate recovery, for the period April to September (5 months).